Eagles have no cause to fail, Okpala

By Kate Obodo
Former Rangers assistant coach Sylvanus OkpalaÂ has said that he Super Eagle have no excuse should they fail in todayâ€™s match against Argentina.

The tournament kicked off yesterday with the host country taking on Mexico. Today, Nigeria will be on parade against its perennial foe, Argentina at the Ellis Park Stadium and OkpalaÂ says theEagles have no excuse not to do well

Speaking on phone with Saturday Vanguard sports, the former Green Eagles star who believes the Eagles like any other team at the World Cup have bright chances.

According to him the World Cup is a different competition, stressing that the pattern of play is different from the European leagues and therefore the Eagles need to prove themselves.

â€œWell every other team have a bright chance, whether Nigeria or Argentina. This is a World Cup and not like the EuropeanÂ leagues. This is the World Cup where every country is presenting themselves.

One team they should have in todayâ€™s match is tactical discipline. We need it to go far in this competition,â€ Okpala said.
Asked if he is satisfied with Super Eagles technical adviser, Lars Lagerbackâ€™s selection, he said it isÂ okay but feared the absence of Mikel Obi in the midfield.

â€œI donâ€™t think there is anybody that is not supposed to be in the team that is there,Â my fear however is absence ofÂ Mikel, I hope it will not cause any harm to the team,â€ he said